Council member's re-election might be short lived

Monday

Feb 4, 2013 at 12:01 AM

STOCKTON - Kathy Miller, who recently won a second term on the Stockton City Council, said she is now exploring a possible run in November 2014 for a seat on the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors.

Scott Smith

STOCKTON - Kathy Miller, who recently won a second term on the Stockton City Council, said she is now exploring a possible run in November 2014 for a seat on the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors.

She won re-election to the City Council in November's general election and took the oath of office Jan. 8.

Miller's possible run for a new office so soon into a four-year term has drawn questions about her commitment to Stockton, a city in the throes of bankruptcy among its challenges.

A win in the countywide race would leave her council seat empty mid-term.

Miller, 56, responded by saying that her dedication to Stockton is unquestionable, but she's charting her political career in what is expected to be a crowded race to fill the seat now held by Larry Ruhstaller.

"I believe prudent and professional people look at all aspects of a situation before they make a decision," Miller said. "That's what I'm doing."

Waiting for the filing period to open is too late, she said.

Last year, Miller ran against and beat Randy Hatch to retain her council seat, making her the only one of four incumbents to successfully fend off a challenger.

Hatch said for Miller even to consider seeking another office is a disservice to those voted her onto the City Council.

"I feel in some ways she's using the office of council as a launching pad to climb a rung on the political ladder," Hatch said.

Exploring a run for another office and running would take attention away from her current elected office and the city's challenges, said Hatch, citing Stockton's crime, unemployment and bankruptcy.

"We're in tough times," he said. "We need council people who are focused on the council job, not exploring other opportunities."

Yet, to prove her dedication to Stockton, Miller named off a long list of committee appointments she has taken on, which make her part-time role on the council - and its $24,000 annual pay - equivalent to a full-time job.

Miller, who represents City Council District 2, chairs the city's Water Committee and sits on many water-related advisory boards, which require a lot of time and expertise, she said.

In her first four-year term, beginning in 2008, then-Mayor Ann Johnston appointed Miller as the city's vice mayor.

County supervisors make a base annual pay of $94,000 in an office considered full time.

Miller also said that it has been common on the City Council for members to seek higher office, vacating a seat mid-term. She cited Susan Eggman's recent departure to the state's Assembly. Before that, Steve Bestolarides left for the Board of Supervisors.

"Right now I'm focused on Stockton, getting us out of bankruptcy and devoting my efforts here," she said, noting that she also wants to keep her options open.

"I've been very consistent in saying I want to serve the community where I can best serve," she said. "I don't know if that will be on the Board of Supervisors or somewhere else."